ACT 3 SCENE 1:

CASSIO: Maiden, I have a favor to ask you.

SERVANT: What is it that you need, good sir?

CASSIO: If the woman who takes care of the general’s wife is awake, tell her that a man named
Cassio begs that she give him a chance to speak with her.

SERVANT: She is awake, sir. If she happens to come this way, I will tell her.

The clown exits. Iago enters the scene.

CASSIO: Just in time, Iago! I have talked to your wife and she allowed me to see Desdemona.

IAGO: I shall send her to you right away and figure out to distract the Moor out of the way.

CASSIO: I humbly thank you for this.

-​ EXIT IAGO, ENTERS EMILIA

EMILIA: Good morning, good Lieutenant. I am sorry for what has happened to you, but I am
certain everything will turn out fine. Desdemona is speaking up for you.

CASSIO: If it’s possible, please let me talk to Desdemona alone.

EMILIA: Please, come inside. I will give you a chance to talk to her freely.

ACT 3: SCENE 2

DESDEMONA: Rest assured, Cassio. I will do all that I can for you.

EMILIA: Please do. The situation also troubled my husband as if the problem were his own.

DESDEMONA: Cassio, I will soon have you and my husband be as close as before.

CASSIO: Generous Madame, whatever happens, I will be your loyal servant.

DESDEMONA: Thank you. I know that you truly mean that. You’ve known him for a while and I
am sure he is only keeping his distance from you for political reasons. So cheer up, Cassio.

EMILIA: Desdemona, Iago and the Moor are here.

CASSIO: I should go now.

IAGO: I do not like the looks of that. Wasn’t that Cassio talking to your wife just now?

OTHELLO: I think it was him.

(Iago will leave the scene the moment Desdemona approaches Othello)

DESDEMONA: How are you, my husband? I have been talking to Cassio and he wishes to
settle things with you.

OTHELLO: Was that him who just left?

DESDEMONA: Yes, that is right. And he was so humbled and troubled that now I feel sad for
him. Call him back.

OTHELLO: Not now, sweetheart. Some other time.

DESDEMONA: Why is it so hard for you to talk to him? He always stood up for you and helped
you whilst courting me.

OTHELLO: Please, let’s not talk about this anymore. All I ask for you right now is leave me
alone for a little while.

DESDEMONA: Let us go now, Emilia.

EMILIA AND DESDEMONA LEAVES

OTHELLO: Do you think something is strange about the conversation between my wife and
Cassio?

IAGO: I think Iago is an honest man. Men should be what they seem to be.

OTHELLO: No, there is something more going on. Please tell me what you are thinking.

IAGO: Beware of jealousy, my Lord. But, oh, what torture it is to love but doubt your wife,
suspect her of something but still love her.

OTHELLO: I won't doubt Desdemona until I see something, and if I doubt her I'll see if I
can prove it. If I get proof, there's only one thing to do: get rid of either my love or my
jealousy.
IAGO: Keep an eye on your wife and Cassio. Their conscience doesn't stop them from
doing bad things, but only keeps them from letting their bad deeds be known.

OTHELLO: Farewell, Iago. If thou perceive more suspicions, please let me know. Have
thy wife look out, too.

EXIT IAGO

OTHELLO: If I find proof that Desdemona is unfaithful, I'll let her go like I'm getting rid of
a pet, even if the leash is my own heartstrings.

Desdemona and Emilia enter the scene.

DESDEMONA: How are you, my dear Othello? They are looking for you.

OTHELLO: I am to blame.

DESDEMONA: Why do you speak so faintly? Are you not well?

OTHELLO: I have pain upon my forehead.

DESDEMONA: Let me tie this handkerchief around your head and it shall feel better
within an hour.

OTHELLO: Your napkin is too little, let it alone.

The handkerchief drops as they fled the scene.

Emilia: I am glad I have found this handkerchief. This was Desdemona's first gift from
the Moor. My stubborn husband has asked me to steal it a hundred times. God knows
what he will do with it. God only knows. I certainly don't. I just like to make him happy.

IAGO ENTERS

IAGO: What are you doing here alone?

EMILIA: Do not fret. I have something for you.

IAGO: What is it?

IAGO: What handkerchief?

EMILIA: The one the moor first gave to Desdemona. The you asked me to steal.

IAGO: You have stolen it from her?

EMILIA: She dropped it carelessly, and I happened to be here. What will you use it for?

IAGO: Why do you care?

EMILIA: Poor Desdemona, she will certainly run mad when she realizes it is missing.

IAGO: Do not tell her what happened. Go on and leave me alone.

EMILIA EXITS

IAGO: I will leave the handkerchief in Cassio’s room and let Othello find it there.

OTHELLO AND IAGO

OTHELLO: Iago, my wife is not unfaithful. I didn't see anything, and I didn't suspect
anything. So, it didn't do me any harm. I slept well after, ate well, and was happy and
carefree

IAGO: But I am certain that something is happening between them.

OTHELLO: Give me evidence, or at least prove it beyond an ounce of doubt—or else

IAGO: I do not like this task but I will prove to you—I am only concerned about you, my
Lord. I will tell you the truth.

OTHELLO: What is it?

IAGO: I heard him say in his sleep, "Sweet Desdemona, let's be careful and hide our
love." And then, sir, he clutched and grabbed my hand, crying "Oh sweet woman!" and
he kissed me hard.
OTHELLO: Oh, this is terrible!

IAGO: It is very suspicious even thought it is just a dream.

OTHELLO: I will tear Desdemona to pieces!

IAGO: Be smart, sire. We haven’t actually seen anything that proves us right. Just tell
me this: have you occasionally seen a handkerchief decorated with strawberries in your
wife's hand?

OTHELLO: It was my first gift to her.

IAGO: I saw use that handkerchief to wipe his beard earlier today.

OTHELLO: My love is all gone! I am filled with wrath and only wishing for the worst. Oh
blood!

IAGO: Calm down, sir!

OTHELLO: Within three days, Cassio shall face his death.

IAGO: Cassio will die but let Desdemona live forever.

OTHELLO: I will not let the flirt get away with this! I will figure out a way to kill that
beautiful devil.

ACT 3 SCENE 4:

DESDEMONA AND OTHELLO

OTHELLO: My dearest, I have a runny nose. May I borrow a handkerchief?

DESDEMONA: Here, my beloved.

OTHELLO: I want the one I gave you.

DESDEMONA: But I do not have it with me.

OTHELLO: Is the handkerchief lost? Is it gone? Tell me!

OTHELLO: I will not speak to you until you find it. I will leave now.

OTHELLO EXITS.

Emilia: Does that not look like a jealous man? He seems so angry. It takes just a year or
two for a man's true colors to become apparent.

THEY ALL EXIT

BIANCA ENTERS THE SCENE ALONG WITH CASSIO

BIANCA: Hello, my friend Cassio!

CASSIO: What are you doing away from home? How are you, my most beautiful
Bianca? I was actually just on my way to your house, my sweet love.

BIANCA: I was on my way to yours. You have been away for weeks! One hundred and
sixty-eight hours. It is tiring to be alone without you.

CASSIO: I will make up for being away for so long. Sweet Bianca, copy out the pattern
for this.

CASSIO HANDS THE HANDKERCHIEF TO BIANCA

BIANCA: Oh, Cassio, where did you get this from? This is some gift from another
woman! Now I see why you haven't come to see me. Has it come to this? Well, well,
well.

CASSIO: Please keep your vile thoughts away, I have no mistress.

BIANCA: Whose is it, then?

CASSIO: I do not know either, I found it in my room. Please have the pattern copied and
leave me alone for a little while.

BIANCA: And why should I leave you? Please stay with me for a little while.